5512 - TOBACCO USE PREVENTION

The Board of Education is committed to providing students, staff, and visitors with an indoor tobacco, nicotine, vapor/aerosol, and smoke-free environment. The negative health effects of tobacco use for both the users and nonusers, including the effects of secondhand smoke and vapor/aerosol exposure, are well established. Further, providing a non-smoking and tobacco-free environment is consistent with the responsibilities of teachers and staff to be positive role models for our students.

For purposes of this policy, "use of tobacco" means to chew or maintain any substance containing tobacco, including smokeless tobacco, in the mouth to derive the effects of tobacco, as well as all uses of tobacco or tobacco substitutes, including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, or any other matter or substances that contain tobacco or nicotine (including synthetic nicotine), in addition to papers used to roll cigarettes, and/or the smoking of electronic, "vapor," or other substitute forms of cigarettes, clove cigarettes, or other smoking devices for burning tobacco or any other substance.

The term “tobacco” includes any product containing, made of, or derived from tobacco or nicotine (including synthetic nicotine) that is intended for human consumption or is likely to be consumed, whether inhaled, absorbed, or ingested by any other means including, but not limited to, a cigarette, a cigar, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, or snus; any electronic smoking device and any substances that may be aerosolized or vaporized by such device, whether or not the substance contains nicotine; an e-cigarette (including, but not limited to, “JUUL”, “NJOY,” “BREEZE,” “Puff Bar,” etc.), e-cigar, e-pipe, vape pen, or e-hookah; but does not include any cessation product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for use as a medical treatment to reduce or eliminate nicotine or tobacco dependence.

The Board prohibits the possession, consumption, purchase or attempt to purchase, and/or use of tobacco or tobacco substitute products by students at all times (twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week) on Board premises, in Board-owned vehicles, within any indoor facility owned, leased, or contracted for by the Board and/or used to provide education or library services to children, and at all Board-sponsored events.

This prohibition extends to any Board-owned and/or operated vehicles used to transport students and to all other Board-owned and/or operated vehicles. Such prohibition also applies to school grounds, athletic facilities, and any school-related event, on or off Board premises.

Advertising/Promotion

In accordance with Policy 9700.01, tobacco advertising is prohibited on school grounds, in all school-sponsored publications, and at all school-sponsored events.

Tobacco promotional items that promote the use of tobacco products, including clothing, bags, lighters, and other personal articles, are not permitted on school grounds, in school vehicles, or at school-sponsored events.

Notification

Signage will be posted throughout the District as required by R.C. 3794.06 and as specified by the Ohio Department of Health. Students will be provided notice of this policy through student handbooks.

Educational Programming

Tobacco-use prevention education shall be coordinated with the other components of the school health program and shall be evidence-based, age-appropriate, and culturally responsive. Staff responsible for teaching tobacco-use prevention education shall have adequate pre-service training and participate in ongoing professional development activities to effectively deliver education programming. Preparation and professional development activities shall provide basic knowledge about the effects of tobacco use and effects of peer pressure on tobacco use combined with effective instructional techniques and strategies and program-specific activities. Education will include instruction on the harmful effects of and legal restrictions against tobacco, nicotine, and electronic smoking devices, as part of the health education curriculum, including My Life My Quit Youth Cessation Program. Implementation may be aligned with Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports (PBIS) and incorporated with ongoing educational reinforcement as part of Tier 1 (and of subsequent tiers) PBIS strategies, as appropriate.

Enforcement

Students who violate this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct/Student Discipline Code and in accordance with policies of the Board.

Revised 10/17/19

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